December 13th

We are coming to the end of our series in Ephesians!  We have only two weeks left in our time in Ephesians, and I cant help but think about what a Roman soldier in Pauls day expected to experience in war and the parallels of ancient warfare with the spiritual war those of us who follow Jesus can expect to experience.  Ancient warfare was fierce.  It was close, it was personal, it was dirty, it guaranteed some type of scar for those in the fight, and it was in your face. 

In his final letter to Timothy who served as a pastor of the Ephesian church, Paul provides us with a glimpse of some of his scars from his engagement with spiritual warfare encountered within and outside of the church: 

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lions mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Tim. 4:1618) 

It was through his weakness and his wounds that Paul experienced the strength of his Lord, and when he felt alone and abandoned, Jesus stood with him. While in in the damp and lonely Mamertine Prison awaiting his execution as a convicted enemy of Rome, Paul rested in the security that Jesus would bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom.  Earlier in his short letter to Timothy, Paul wrote: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4:78).  What a way to finish!  How did Paul fight the good fight and how did he finish so well?  He put on the full armor of God by finding his strength in the Lord and the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10).

As we approach the end with our time in Ephesians, how do you hope to finish your race?  Do you hope to be able to say with the apostle, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith...  What are you doing now to finish well tomorrow?  

I hope to see you this Sunday in our 9:00 or 11:00AM worship services as we consider what it means to take up the sword of the Spirit. 

Grace,

Pastor Keith